Michael Bevan has an interesting test record. Underrated as a test player?

[Mr Miyagi]

These days batsmen have a much harder time than in the old days; technical weaknesses of the kind that Fairbrother and Bevan had are discovered early, and exploited ruthlessly. Though some people never learn: Rohit Sharma in SA being the most recent example.

That emergence of analyctics isn't what ended Bevan's test career. It was the emergence of this guy taking his spot coupled with Tubby finally scoring some runs again.

 

[Borges]

There was no analytics of the kind that is used today when Bevan was drafted into the test team. This is a fairly recent phenomenon.
Which is why I rate Steven Smith as one of the truly great test batsmen.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

There was no analytics of the kind that is used today when Bevan was drafted into the test team. This is a fairly recent phenomenon.
Which is why I rate Steven Smith as one of the truly great test batsmen.

I know Borges, I wasn't trying to create a debate with you. It was more in bmusement to everyone's conversation of Bevan the test batsman, when he lost his spot to Stuart Macgill who has a test and first class batting average of less than 10!

That awkward moment you celebrate being selected as a better test player over Michael Bevan with a batting average under 10.

 

[mr_mister]

Chris Harris is an interesting case. Absolutely dreadful test record with both bat and ball yet seemed a very solid FC bat

The discrepancy between his FC and test average is even worse than Hick, Bevan and Ramprakash

 

[TheJediBrah]

Chris Harris is an interesting case. Absolutely dreadful test record with both bat and ball yet seemed a very solid FC bat

The discrepancy between his FC and test average is even worse than Hick, Bevan and Ramprakash

Just speculating here, but the gap between NZ FC cricket and Test cricket would have probably been relatively large compared to, say, Australia and the Shield.

Also back then there wouldn't have been as many games against minnows (no Banglas and Zimbabwe were actually a decent team back then) that NZ seem to play a bit of these days. Still it's a pretty big gap in his average.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

Just speculating here, but the gap between NZ FC cricket and Test cricket would have probably been relatively large compared to, say, Australia and the Shield.

Also back then there wouldn't have been as many games against minnows (no Banglas and Zimbabwe were actually a decent team back then) that NZ seem to play a bit of these days. Still it's a pretty big gap in his average.

Harry's just our superkid, super FC player who went onto be a Hick or Ramprakash type at international where on occasion he demonstrated his awesome natural talent, but just not often enough to do his talent justice, whereas Colin Munro only getting one test is more a voice for doubting the gap between FC and international in the present day.

Harry's FC career was so long - it predates Hadlee's retirement, and goes past Southee's intl debut. And typically bowling is more of a NZ strength than batting. If you want proof, goto NUFAN's NZATG thread and you will see the batting gets a great deal dire well before the bowling does. Even then NZC is famous for having terror bowlers in the FC scene or don't get get the goods at international, Milmow, Troup and Davis obvious pacey examples.

I think the more pertinent question is what on earth NZC is able to do to improve the batting standards so as to produce more KW's and less spuds. NZC just consistently fail besides the Jones, Crowe, KW, Taylor - to provide 4 let alone 6 or more high quality batsmen and any time. And the ones that look the part, either fall apart, or took so long to reach the level where they look the part.

 

[mr_mister]

Just looking at his ODI record where he was apparently Bevan-lite he once had a period in 1997 where he was not out 8 innings in a row


and look at this period of time

Batting records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo


averaged 60 over 38 matches from early 97 to early 99

18 not outs... but still impressive


He really was a solid player for a time, bit odd how he ended up averaging pnly 29 for his ODI career

 

[Mr Miyagi]

Just looking at his ODI record where he was apparently Bevan-lite he once had a period in 1997 where he was not out 8 innings in a row


and look at this period of time

Batting records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo


averaged 60 over 38 matches from early 97 to early 99

18 not outs... but still impressive


He really was a solid player for a time, bit odd how he ended up averaging pnly 29 for his ODI career

When you couple that 29 with his bowling record, and his Jonty Rhodes likes effort in the field, he is rightfully a cheerished NZ ODI cricketer.

He's immensely popular among NZC fans.

In spud NZ teams, he wasn't the worst spud.

He very nearly kicked Australia out of the 1996 WC in the quarters with bat and ball. But Mark Waugh and Shane Warne decided to raise the ante.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/6490/aus-vs-nz-4th-qf-wills-world-cup-1996

Just look at Harry's day out there. Sadly for him, his greatest batting day, was a NZ loss.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah that ODI ton against Australia was a deadest gem.

 

[Top_Cat]

Glorious knock. Lee German matched him too, was a scary how much they were threatening 350+ in the days when 300 was basically a match-winning score.

 

[Flem274*]

chris harris was an odd one. easily the best of the NZ reps when playing domestic cricket, but faltered at the highest level

the standard of domestic bowling was a lot different then. pitches were more favourable to the bowlers but the bowlers themselves were 5-10kph slower than today where each province can field at least a couple of guys of national interest.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Glorious knock. Lee German matched him too, was a scary how much they were threatening 350+ in the days when 300 was basically a match-winning score.

funny coincidence we've been talking about Bevan, Chris Harris, and Roger Twose comparing them all and this game^ when Harris made his best score Bevan himself happened to bowl 10 overs that game (probably one of the only times he ever did) and got one wicket - Roger Twose

 

[sledger]

Better than Sanga.

Edit: Especially against the short ball.